Since their inception, the Central 7s haven’t been this competitive. A competition that once attracted reserve sides now boasts current and former premiership sides, such as Victoria Sharks, Makerere Impis, and Warriors RFC.
Meanwhile, sides like the Entebbe Jaguars and Kisubi Pacers, who have been perennial invitees to the core circuits, are no newcomers to the competitive side of the game.
The challenge for all these sides now is to emerge in the top 2 after the 2 central circuits in Entebbe and Gayaza, if they are to qualify for the national core status qualifiers.
“The target for the central 7s is qualifying for the national qualifiers…same for the national qualifiers and moving to the next level,” Kyambogo Rugby’s coach, Isaac Byarugaba, noted, while setting his sights on qualification.
Coach Nkamba of the Impis also eyes qualification. “Our targets haven’t changed much; the boys know the idea is to go all out in the tournaments and win all we can,” he noted.
For the Victoria Sharks, who haven’t had much rest since the conclusion of the Rugby 15s season, anything short of winning both circuits shall be an underperformance.
“The boys are ready for the circuits, we came short last season at Busukuma [core status qualifiers in Gayaza], this time our target is to qualify for the core 7s,” remarks Keving Makmot, coach of the Sharks.
The Sharks have been rising fast in Ugandan Rugby and are the current back-to-back University 7s champions.
The Central 7s will be played across two circuits, beginning with Entebbe this Saturday, 21st June, followed by Gayaza on the following Saturday.
The number of circuits has left mixed reviews from the coaches. “I do not think the 2 circuits are enough for the teams down here, and I think that’s why it’s affecting the teams that qualify up because they play less games down here,” added Coach Makmot, who holds a similar view to Alvin Nkamba of the Impis; “The 2 circuits in my view arent enough but we shall have to work with it, you never know it’s a blessing in disguise.”
Given the number of teams and the financial constraints the central league faced in the 15s season, coach Byarugaba argues that the two circuits are enough for now, but says there is still room for growth.
Entebbe Central 7s Groups
Group A
- Victoria Sharks
- Entebbe Jaguars
- Warriors RFC
Group B
- Kisubi Pacers
- Makerere Impis
- Blue Phoenix
Group C
- Kyambogo RFC
- Mukono Hawks
- Golden Badgers Namugongo